FINANCIAL AID
Financial aid helps meet college costs, both educational (tuition and fees) and living (food, housing, and transportation). Through various programs offered by state and federal governments, as well as private lenders, financial aid helps the cost of education become affordable.
Several forms of financial assistance are available to students who qualify. Each funding source has its own eligibility requirements. More information is available through the Financial Aid Office.
Grants
- Federal Pell Grant*
- Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) *
- PHEAA Grant (Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency) *
- Johnson College Institutional Grant *
Loans
- Federal Direct Subsidized Student Loan *
- Federal Direct Unsubsidized Student Loan
- Federal Direct Parent Loan for undergraduate Students (PLUS)
*Indicates need-based aid to eligible students
Participation in programs funded by state and federal agencies requires the Financial Aid Office to comply with the regulations set forth by each agency concerning student eligibility and academic progress standards. This will generally require the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). All students are required to complete a FAFSA or sign a FAFSA waiver form when other funding sources exist.
Responsibility for financing an education rests first with students and their families. Financial aid should be viewed as supplementary, to be used only after the full resources of students and their families are committed.
Federal Guidelines for Financial Aid
In accordance with federal regulations, students who receive federal financial aid and withdraw from Johnson College during the first 60% of a term will have their federal financial aid adjusted based on the percentage of the term completed prior to the withdrawal. Students will be entitled to retain the same percentage of the federal financial aid received as the percentage of the term completed. This percentage is calculated by dividing the number of days in the term (excluding breaks of five days or longer) into the number of days completed prior to the withdrawal (excluding breaks of five days or longer). The date of withdrawal will be based on the official date of withdrawal or the last day of documented class attendance as determined by the Registrar.
Once the amount of federal funds to be returned has been calculated, the funds will be returned in the following order:
1. Unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loans
2. Subsidized Federal Direct Student Loans
3. Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)
4. Pell Grants
5. Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOG)
The amount to be returned to a specific federal program may not exceed the total amount awarded from that program.
Further information about refunds of financial aid may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office.
Work-Study
Students who are interested in employment may obtain information from the Financial Aid Office. Federal Work-Study is a federally-funded employment program that provides supplemental assistance to students who demonstrate financial need. Students participating in the Federal Work-Study program will be required to perform community service hours at an off-campus location in the academic year in which they receive federal funds.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Students attending Johnson College who wish to be considered for Federal Title IV (Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study, Direct Student Loan, or Direct Parent PLUS Loan) and institutional aid, in addition to meeting other eligibility criteria, must maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) in the course of study being pursued. The College is required to establish a SAP standard in accordance with U.S. Department of Education regulation 34 CFR 668.34. This SAP policy is as strict as or stricter than academic policies for students who are not receiving Title IV Aid. Students’ academic records will be reviewed at the end of each enrolled term (i.e., fall, spring, and summer) after grades are calculated by the Registrar’s Office. All terms in which the student is enrolled, including summer, must be considered in the determination of SAP, even terms for which the student did not receive federal financial aid. Students who fail to meet minimum SAP standards will be notified via Johnson College email and U.S. mail once the determination has been made.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Minimum Standards
Satisfactory academic progress is assessed based on three criteria: Completion Rate (CR), Career (Cumulative) Grade Point Average (CGPA), and Maximum Time Frame (MTF). To be considered for federal financial aid, students must show steady progress toward their degree and meet the standards outlined below.
Minimum SAP Standards
| CR | 67% |
| CGPA | 2.0 |
| MTF | Total credits attempted cannot exceed 150% of program length. |
Completion Rate (CR)
Completion Rate (CR) is a quantitative measure of progress towards graduation. In order to be eligible for financial aid, a student must have successfully completed (i.e. earned) at least 67% of their attempted credits.
Attempted credits include all credits for courses a student remains enrolled in after the Add/Drop date. This includes courses with grades of F (fail), SA (administrative withdrawal), and W (withdrawal), as well as repeated courses, transfer courses, and developmental courses. Earned credits are those from courses with a passing grade (D or better), as well as transfer credits accepted by Johnson College. Credits for courses with grades of F, SA, or W are considered unearned. The completion rate is calculated using the formula below.
| (Successful CR) | (Successful CR) |
Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)
Career Grade Point Average (CGPA) is a quantitative measure of academic performance. Students must maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.0 to be eligible for financial aid. Grades of I (incomplete), W (withdrawal), and transfer credit (T) are not included in the satisfactory academic progress (CGPA calculation).
Maximum Time Frame (MTF)
Maximum Time Frame (MTF) refers to the maximum number of credits a student can attempt while still being eligible for financial aid. MTF cannot exceed 150% of the total number of credits required to complete a program. Full-time students should earn approximately 15 credits per term in order to remain below MTF. Developmental courses are counted as hours attempted and, if successfully completed, hours earned. Credits earned in developmental courses are counted toward academic progress but do not count toward degree requirements. Therefore, these credits will be excluded from the MTF calculation. Total credits for MTF may not be rounded up or down. To calculate MTF, multiply program required credits by 1.5 (150%).
| Program | Program Length | MTF |
| Welding Certificate | 30 | 45 |
| Electrical Construction Technology | 64 | 96 |
| Radiologic Technology | 71 | 106.5 |
Repeat Coursework
Financial aid is available for the first repeat of any previously passed course. Financial aid is also available for each attempt of a previously failed course. However, all attempts are included in the Completion Rate (CR) and Maximum Time Frame (MTF) calculations.
*Audited classes are not counted into MTF.
Change of Major
The first time a student changes their major program of study, the courses that pertain to the previous major are not included in the SAP calculation. However, all courses that fulfill requirements for the new major are used in the SAP calculation. Subsequent changes to a student’s major are calculated into Satisfactory Academic Progress.
Second Certificate or Degree
If a student enrolls for a second certificate or degree, after completion of a certificate or degree, the student may be eligible for an additional 150% Maximum Time Frame of financial aid for their new program of study. This will be determined based upon compliance with all other federal regulations.
Unsatisfactory Academic Progress (USAP)
Failure to meet satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements set forth by Johnson College in accordance with federal regulations will result in one of two consequences.
SAP Warning
Failure to meet the Career Grade Point Average or Completion Rate requirements for a term, whether or not the student is receiving financial aid, will result in SAP Warning. The student remains eligible for financial aid during the currently enrolled term, but is at risk of losing financial aid eligibility for the subsequent term if SAP standards are not met.
SAP Suspension
Exceeding the Maximum Time Frame will result in SAP suspension and loss of the student’s financial aid eligibility. Failure to meet the Career Grade Point Average or Completion Rate requirements for two consecutive terms, whether or not the student is receiving financial aid, will result in SAP suspension and loss of financial aid eligibility.
SAP Suspension Appeal
A student may appeal SAP Suspension. The forms required to begin the appeal process will be sent to the student along with their SAP Suspension letter by mail. Upon receiving these documents, the student should schedule an appointment with their academic advisor to create an academic plan aimed at achieving satisfactory academic progress. The completed documents should then be submitted to the Financial Aid Office for review.
- If the appeal is denied, the student remains ineligible for financial aid for the enrolled term.
- If the appeal is approved, the student will be eligible for financial aid for the enrolled term.
The Financial Aid Office will monitor the student’s progress at the end of the term for which the approved appeal was submitted.
- If the student meets the criteria outlined in the SAP academic plan, they will be considered to have satisfactory academic progress and remain eligible for financial aid for the subsequent term.
- If the student does not meet the criteria outlined in the SAP academic plan, SAP Suspension will remain in effect and the student will be ineligible for financial aid for the subsequent term. A new SAP suspension appeal form and academic plan may be submitted for review.
REINSTATEMENT OF FINANCIAL AID ELIGIBILITY
Financial aid eligibility will be reinstated when:
1. An SAP Suspension appeal is approved by the Financial Aid Office.
2. The student makes satisfactory academic progress towards a degree and meets SAP standards while attending Johnson College using their own resources. The student must contact the Financial Aid Office after final grades have been posted to their transcript to have their eligibility reviewed for reinstatement.
Once a student regains eligibility, they will be awarded financial aid subject to financial aid eligibility requirements and the availability of funds.
Veteran Beneficiaries
The law requires that educational assistance benefits to veterans and other eligible persons be discontinued when the student ceases to make satisfactory progress toward completion of their training objective. Benefits can be resumed if the student re-enrolls in the same educational institution and in the same program. In other cases, benefits cannot be resumed unless the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) finds that the cause of the unsatisfactory attendance, conduct, or progress has been removed and the program of education or training to be pursued by the student is suitable to their aptitudes, interests, and abilities.
Any veteran or dependent of a veteran will follow the same academic progress policy as those students who utilize Title IV aid. However, if a veteran or a dependent of a veteran is placed on probation or dismissed from the College, the School Certifying Official will notify the VA via Enrollment Manager. Academic progress is checked throughout the term and the student will be notified via email of their status.
Industry Tuition Reimbursement Plans
Many companies provide their employees with reimbursement for education expenses. Students should consult their employer for further information. Arrangements for this type of payment should be set up with the Student Business Office prior to the start of classes.
Scholarships and Merit Awards
Johnson College offers a variety of scholarships to meet the financial needs of new and returning students. These awards may be based on financial need, community commitment, and/or academic standing. Each scholarship has specific criteria. For the most up-to-date scholarship information, please visit the scholarship webpage. The scholarship application, which consists of four questions, can be submitted online, via email, in person, or by U.S. mail. Please be sure to follow the instructions carefully. Each part of the application is reviewed and critiqued by Johnson College’s Scholarship Committee. Any student who submits a scholarship application who has not completed a FAFSA will not be taken into consideration for a scholarship until the FAFSA is completed.
Applicants will receive a notification letter from the Financial Aid office indicating receipt of their application and the timeframe in which it will be reviewed by the scholarship committee. Priority deadline for current/returning Johnson students is May 1st. Upon review by the committee, all submissions will receive a response. Recipients will be required to attend the annual scholarship breakfast and to send the donor of their scholarship a thank you letter.
Award amounts for endowed scholarship funds are determined annually according to earnings on the funds and in accordance with Johnson College policies.
VA Pending Payment Compliance
In accordance with Title 38 US Code 3679 subsection (e), this school adopts the following additional provisions for any students using U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) Post 9/11 G.I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. This school will not:
- Prevent the student’s enrollment;
- Assess a late penalty fee to;
- Require student to secure alternative or additional funding;
- Deny their access to any resources (access to classes, libraries, or other institutional facilities) available to other students who have satisfied their tuition and fee bills to the institution.
However, to qualify for this provision, such students may be required to:
- Provide Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility (or its equivalent) or for Chapter 31, VA VR&E’s contract with the school on VA Form 28-1905 by the first day of class.
Note: Chapter 33 students can register at the VA Regional Office to use E-Benefits to get the equivalent of a Chapter 33 Certificate of Eligibility. Chapter 31 students cannot get a completed VA Form 28-1905 (or any equivalent) before the VA VR&E case-manager issues it to the school.
- Provide Written request to be certified
Title 38 U.S.C. §3691A(a)(2)(B) provides that an educational institution may not take the following actions when a member receives orders for a period of service:
- Assigning the member a failing grade,
- Reducing the member’s grade point average,
- Characterizing any member’s absence(s) as unexcused, or
- Assessing a financial penalty on a member because of a withdrawal or leave of absence due to receiving orders for service.
Additionally, Title 38 U.S.C. §3691A(b) provides that an educational institution must take the following actions when a member withdraws due to receiving orders for a period of service:
- Refunding all tuition and fees paid for the academic term to the appropriate party. Please note that VA’s interpretation of academic term is the term as reported to your State Approving Agency and VA.
- Refunding payments made by the student (or behalf of the student) to the institution for housing. Please note that in this instance the reference to housing is not the monthly housing allowance provided by the Post 9/11 GI Bill® but rather housing costs such as dorm fees.
Finally, Title 38 U.S.C. §3691A(c) provides that an educational institution must take the following actions when a member takes a leave of absence from a course(s) due to receiving orders for a period of service:
- Assigning a grade of incomplete (or equivalent) for the course(s) during the term, and
- Providing the opportunity to complete the term after the period of service.
Disapproval of courses: (a)(1) Except as provided by paragraph (2), any course approved for the purposes of this chapter which fails to meet any of the requirements of this chapter shall be immediately disapproved by the Secretary or the appropriate State approving agency. An educational institution which has its courses disapproved by the Secretary or a State approving agency will be notified of such disapproval by a certified or registered letter of notification and a return receipt secured.
(2) In the case of a course of education that would be subject to disapproval under paragraph (1) solely for the reason that the Secretary of Education withdraws the recognition of the accrediting agency that accredited the course, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, and notwithstanding the withdrawal, may continue to treat the course as an approved course of education under this chapter for a period not to exceed 18 months from the date of the withdrawal of recognition of the accrediting agency, unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the appropriate State approving agency determines that there is evidence to support the disapproval of the course under this chapter. The Secretary shall provide to any veteran enrolled in such a course of education notice of the status of the course of education.
(b) Each State approving agency shall notify the Secretary of each course which it has disapproved under this section. The Secretary shall notify the State approving agency of the Secretary’s disapproval of any educational institution under chapter 31 of this title.
(c)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter and subject to paragraphs (3) through (6), the Secretary shall disapprove a course of education provided by a public institution of higher learning if the institution charges tuition and fees for that course for covered individuals who are pursuing the course with educational assistance under chapter 30, 31, or 33 of this title while living in the State in which the institution is located at a rate that is higher than the rate the institution charges for tuition and fees for that course for residents of the State in which the institution is located, regardless of the covered individual’s State of residence.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, a covered individual is any individual as follows:
- (A) A veteran who was discharged or released from a period of not fewer than 90 days of service in the active military, naval, or air service less than three years before the date of enrollment in the course concerned.
- (B) An individual who is entitled to assistance under—
- (i) section 3311(b)(9) of this title; or
- (ii) section 3319 of this title by virtue of the individual’s relationship to—
- (I) a veteran described in subparagraph (A); or
- (II) a member of the uniformed services described in section 3319(b) of this title who is serving on active duty.
- (C) An individual who is entitled to rehabilitation under section 3102(a) of this title.
(3) If after enrollment in a course of education that is subject to disapproval under paragraph (1) by reason of paragraph (2)(A), (2)(B), or (2)(C) a covered individual pursues one or more courses of education at the same public institution of higher learning while remaining continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters or terms) at that institution of higher learning, any course so pursued by the covered individual at that institution of higher learning while so continuously enrolled shall also be subject to disapproval under paragraph (1).
(4) It shall not be grounds to disapprove a course of education under paragraph (1) if a public institution of higher learning requires a covered individual pursuing a course of education at the institution to demonstrate an intent, by means other than satisfying a physical presence requirement, to establish residency in the State.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.